The Oliver McKiernan trained Luckyinmilan continues to defy the handicapper and claimed his third handicap win in four starts in that sphere when landing the Gowran Park Golf Club Captains 2016 Handicap Hurdle at Gowran today.

The son of Milan, ridden to all three wins by Ian McCarthy, began his handicap career with a win at Thurles in January and while beaten into third at the same venue in February, subsequently followed up with another win at Punchetown in February.

Following today's gutsy all-the-way win, McKiernan stated that was good and he's tough but he takes some riding. Ian (McCarthy) was nearly off him on the bend trying to keep him straight.

“In fairness the horse is pulling it out all the time. That was two-and-a-half today and I think he's an out-and-out three mile horse.

“I'm delighted with him. He's taking his racing well, if you look at his condition, as he's after having hard races. You just wonder how much he can take of that.

“I never dreamt on day one that he would improve like that.

“He wants soft ground and travels through it. He was jumping hurdles like fences and losing a bit of ground by jumping high.”

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson